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Health & Fitness

The Holidays are Noisy: Give the Gift of Hearing

The holidays are full of memorable moments that we often take for granted, but when you or a loved one experience hearing difficulties, these moments can easily be missed.

Victoria Gestner works with Midwest ENT Consultants and Midwest Hearing Consultants, who are ear, nose and throat doctors and audiologists with offices in various locations, including Plainfield. She wrote this in conjunction with the audiology experts at Midwest Hearing Consultants.

The holidays are full of memorable moments that we often take for granted: children’s holiday pageants, songs from carolers, family dinner conversations and friendly chatter of who got what from Santa.

But when you or a loved one experience hearing difficulties, these moments can easily be missed. Why? The holidays are noisy. Music in the background, clinking dishes around the table and crinkling gift wrap – all can turn fun holiday social gatherings into pure auditory chaos. Audiologist Cameron Cowan of Midwest Hearing Consultants says that recognizing when a friend or family member is having trouble hearing is not always obvious, especially during these types of holiday events.

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“Hear” are a few signs to watch for:

  • Repeatedly asking what was just said, or saying “what?” or “huh?” frequently
  • Turning the television or radio volume up louder than normal
  • Withdrawing from group activities or family gatherings


Tips for sensitively suggesting to a family member or close friend that he or she might be in need of hearing help:

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  • Let him or her know you miss being able to have conversations with them at family gatherings.
  • Express your support by offering to go to appointments.
  • Ensure he or she sits at the front of the audience for church services and events.
  • Take initiative to learn some communication strategies to help them understand you better, such as simple sign language.
  • Face the person when you speak to them so that he or she can see your mouth movements and facial expressions.


Then, when the time is right, discuss investing in a hearing aid with your loved one, and make an appointment about one month before any upcoming holiday events. This will allow enough time to get fitted for a hearing aid and adjust to them before attending any parties or events.

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